Check tire pressures, make sure ya have blankets ,food,water. Also you might want to get a set of truck chains, cause ya might run into icy roads. Have some flares and first aid kit. December can be a rough time for the roads if we get bad weather during that time. Also a good idea to let some one know the route you are taking in case you do run into weather and get caught up in it and dont have cell reception. Overall have a good and safe trip.

Tires, tires, tires, tires. Yep, with all the rain/snow you'll want good, deep tread. Do not make a trip like that during the winter with worn tires! Coming from Alaska you probably already know this. And carry chains. If chain requirements are up in CA, you're required to carry them (regardless of having studded tires or 4wd). Plus, stay on the main roads...don't blindly follow GPS Navigation units. We get on average several people each week stuck on a closed road in the snow here because people follow those things that send them from one main highway to another without looking at all the road signs saying "Closed", "Not plowed in winter", etc.

I also tend to throw in a set of tools (sockets, screwdriver) and duct tape.

And the rest of the stuff. I doubt your car needs much for cold=weather prep, you sure won't have to plug it in south of Canada. Ditto the main roads. Bring a few T-shirts and shorts though, cuz (at least Southern) CA in December can STILL be in the 80s.

oil change right before rotate the tires fresh airfilter, clean cabin airfilter make sure your transmission fluid isn't due for a change along with differential oil, good wear on tires, transfer case oil change, grease your zerks, make sure your battery is strong.

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By the By where r the zerks I would need to grease. I too am heading on a trip next week (12 hours) and I just got the truck so I dont even know the history. I have changed the engine oil as well as checked the air filter (it was spotless, just changed apparently). The grease thing would be awesome but I am not sure where I would need to grease. Thanks for the help. I also have the tires and such in proper order for travel. JOE>

By the By where r the zerks I would need to grease. I too am heading on a trip next week (12 hours) and I just got the truck so I dont even know the history. I have changed the engine oil as well as checked the air filter (it was spotless, just changed apparently). The grease thing would be awesome but I am not sure where I would need to grease. Thanks for the help. I also have the tires and such in proper order for travel. JOE>

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If you've got a 4x4, they're on the drive shafts. If you have a 2wd truck, you don't have any.